One recent change in the accessibility of Arkansas Tech University's Tucker Coliseum has many residents considering using profanity. Good people, who have walked around Tucker Coliseum since it was built, now have found themselves locked out of their safe haven for exercise.

Arkansas Tech's faculty, students and mere presence do a lot for the Russellville community. There's no arguing that; however, the community does a lot for Tech in return. Do you remember the recent, very successful and community involved "Return to Glory" capital campaign which raised $4,318,421?

We do, and so do many donors.

The city of Russellville and Tech benefit from each other, and should continue to do so. It's proven to be a win-win relationship.

Tech is a public university, and some areas should be available to the public. But we know it could not possibly open its doors to the entire community and still educate effectively.

According to Steve Mullins, athletic director, the wrap-around hallway of Tucker Coliseum will no longer be accessible to hundreds of walkers after the noon hour. Our main concern is not of legalities, because there are none here.

We are concerned for the elderly as well as local residents who use this facility every day to exercise and stay healthy while not being exposed to the elements of Old Man Winter or brutally hot summers.

We ask this new policy be changed for them. This activity has become a favorite pastime of our community, and it deserves to carry on.

We understand basketball teams begin practice in the afternoon, but walkers don't hinder them from having a good practice. Do they?